Sermons on The Criminal On The Cross:

Go! And Walk In The Light Of Jesus (Palm Sunday) - John 12:12-36 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Apr 1, 2025

Palm Sunday: The triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem was one of those moments. It was a turning point—not just for Jesus’ earthly ministry, but for all of humanity.

GO! AND WALK IN THE LIGHT OF JESUS - John 12:12-36 Introduction: A Defining Moment Throughout history, there have been moments that changed everything. Moments when the world shifted. The triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem was one of those moments. It was a turning point—not just for Jesus’ ...read more

Scripture: John 12:12-36, Psalm 118:25-26, Isaiah 53:5-6, John 8:12, John 12:46, Revelation 13:8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Name You Can Rely On Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Sep 2, 2025

Jesus stepped in, not to handle something minor, but to take on our greatest need—our separation from God. His sacrifice doesn’t just make life “nicer.” It changes everything. Do you see Jesus as someone who did you a small favor or as your Savior who paid your greatest debt?

Several decades ago, Gary Campman wrote about five love languages. They are words of affirmation, quality time, physical touch, acts of service, and receiving gifts. These five love languages describe different ways people give and receive love. Each of us has a primary love language, and often, ...read more

Scripture: John 14:18-26

Denomination: Baptist

Servant Of All

Contributed by Charles Mallory on Sep 19, 2024

Jesus lived out and taught us how to become great in the Kingdom of God. We not only deny ourselves, pick up our cross and follow Jesus, but humble ourselves to become servant to all.

WHEN WE THINK OF SERVICE TO OTHERS AND ALL THE POSSIBLE WAYS TO ENGAGE OUR ABILITIES, I READ A RATHER HUMOROUS WAY OF LOOKING AT THIS WHICH SAID, ““IF YOU THINK YOU ARE TOO SMALL TO BE EFFECTIVE, YOU HAVE NEVER BEEN IN BED WITH A MOSQUITO.” HOWEVER, ON A MORE SERIOUS NOTE, I LIKE THE WORDS OF JOHN ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:30-37, Matthew 16:25, Galatians 3:28, Matthew 23:11, John 15:13  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Free Methodist

The Forgotten Tree

Contributed by John Gaston on Dec 15, 2021

The Christmas Tree has become the main symbol of Christmas; baby Jesus has little connection to it. God's Christmas Tree is the Cross of Calvary. God hung His gift on it -- His Son Jesus. I put up a 5-ft. cross with Christmas lights on it.

THE FORGOTTEN TREE 1 Pet. 2:24 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. In one Dennis the Menace cartoon, Dennis rushes into the living room. His mother is standing there with her mouth open and Dennis is holding a large box. 2. He announces with a loud voice, “We’d better tell Santa Claus to forget about ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:24

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Jesus On Trial Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 3, 2021

Today, the civil phase begins. The story of Jesus’ trek between Gethsemane and Golgotha is known as the Passion. You really cannot truly understand the cross until you understand how Jesus got there and what took place on the day He was crucified.

Johnnie Cochran was the famous defense attorney of OJ Simpson. Many of you will remember his closing arguments in that case, “If it doesn’t fit, you must acquit.” He was once asked whom he would have liked to defense. Cochran’s answer is telling: “Jesus is the person I would like to have defended. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:1-25

Denomination: Baptist

The Savior In Gethsemane

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 6, 2021

Before Jesus suffered great physical pain on the cross, He had to suffer great mental pain in the Garden of Gethsemane, and this too was part of what He paid for our salvation.

A salesman said to me, “We all know you do not get something good for nothing.” It turned out to be very true in regard to what he was selling. I began to think about this in relationship to the Gospel and concluded that it is both true and false. Salvation by grace through faith is the greatest ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:30-56

Give Up Hope

Contributed by John Covell on Oct 17, 2001

My goal is for you to become hopeless-give up hope of changing the past, give up hope of changing what others have done to us, and give up hope of changing ourselves.

Hopeless. Have you ever felt like that? Totally without hope? You tried everything you could think of, you’re at the end of your rope, with no more solutions in sight and you wonder—am I hopeless? Now, I hope that the video and the actors didn’t make you think we’re down on counseling—we’re not. I ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:21-43

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

And Then There Were Three Thieves...

Contributed by Christopher Rainer on Mar 5, 2008

A lot of people believe that there were just two thieves hanging on those crosses on Calvary’s mountain. Well, Luke lets me know that there was some more thievery going on that day...

And Then There Were Three Thieves… Scripture Text: Luke 23:39 – 43 Introduction: Under normal circumstances, it doesn’t feel good to be taken from. It’s different when I give it to you or you have a need and I share what I have with you. It’s another thing altogether for you to see me with it, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:39-43

Denomination: Baptist

How Far Are You Willing To Go PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 25, 2023

Challenge believers to evaluate their commitment to Jesus, understanding that true discipleship requires denying oneself, taking up one's cross, and being willing to give up everything to follow Him wholeheartedly.

Good morning, church family! Today, we are going to dive into a powerful and challenging message that will not only encourage us but also make us evaluate our level of commitment to Jesus Christ. Charles Spurgeon once said, "If Christ is not all to you, He is nothing to you. He will never go into ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:24-26

Topics: Willingness, Sacrifice

Breakfast With The Devil, Supper With The Savior

Contributed by John Gaston on Mar 20, 2021

Would you think it unusual if a man on death row was saved while the lethal injection chemicals were dripping into his I.V.? The thief on the cross next to Jesus began his last day in the service of Satan, but ended it in Paradise with God!

BREAKFAST WITH THE DEVIL, SUPPER WITH THE SAVIOR Mt. 27:38-43; LK. 23:39-43 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. Jennifer Johnson told how her Dad began teaching business classes at a local prison through a community college. On his first night of class, he started a chapter on banking. 2. During the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:38-43, Luke 23:39-43

Denomination: Assembly Of God

What Was He Thinking

Contributed by Karl Eckhoff on Aug 30, 2002

When a cross or trial comes our way we’re often left wondering like Peter, "What was He thinking when He allowed this to come on me?" However, Jesus’ own cross story helps us to see that in the midst of it all, He’s still thinking of you and me.

Pentecost 15 A Matthew 16:21-26 What Was He Thinking? 09/01/02 There’s a television commercial currently running that shows a guy going off a tall waterfall in a kayak. He’s screaming all the way to the bottom as he bounces off rocks along the canyon wall and finishes his plunge into the waters ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:21-26

Denomination: Lutheran

The Baptism Of The Lord

Contributed by Paul Humphrey on Jan 8, 2006

Jesus’ baptism was a declaration of what he was about to do. At the time of his baptism, his eyes were already fixed upon the cross, that we might have cleansing and new birth.

Baptism of the Lord 2006 Dr. Paul G. Humphrey For audio version go to http://www.forministry.com/USTNUMETCVFUMC/Sermon.dsp?sermonsite_action=view_sermon&sermonsite_sermonid=9246 Mark 1:4-11 1:4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:4-11

Denomination: United Methodist

What’s So Good About Good Friday Series

Contributed by Lalachan Abraham on Apr 17, 2025

Beyond etymology, Good Friday can be called “good” because of the results of Christ’s death on the cross. Jesus’ sacrifice was a demonstration of God’s love for us (Romans 5:8).

The significance of a person’s death depends largely on two things: who they are and what caused them to die. Good Friday, the Friday before Easter, is the Christian day to commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus and His death at Calvary. Jesús willingly suffered and died by crucifixion as the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:16, Romans 5:10, 2 Corinthians 5:21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God, Why Don't You Do Something

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Apr 20, 2014

The question was asked by Christ on the cross and we often ask it as we look at the Easter Story, God Why Don' t you do something. The reality is that he was doing something

Matthew 27:46 At about three o’clock, Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” How many times have we asked ourselves the same question that Jesus asked as he hung dying on the cross? ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:1-8

Denomination: Wesleyan

Three Nails

Contributed by John Gaston on Apr 14, 2019

According to Scripture (John 20:25) and Roman practices of the time, Christ was held to the Cross by three nails but I want to call this belief into question. Nor were the Jews, Romans, or Judas responsible for His death.

THREE NAILS Lk. 23:32-34; Mt. 27:45-54 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. If you ever ask a preacher about his last sermon, he will give you the whole thing again! They usually think they did a good job. So sometimes you get more than you think! 2. D.C. Hightower was a missionary for the Methodist ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:32-34, Matthew 27:45-54

Denomination: Assembly Of God